Tripod stabilizer and lighted lens carousel

Abstract

An apparatus that is adapted to reduce wobble in a tripod that is used to hold an optical instrument, includes a triangular shaped base plate that includes an attachment to each leg of the tripod. The base plate includes slots at each corner or apex thereof that provides for an adjustment range sufficient for most types of tripods. A member that is attached to each leg of the tripod is attached to each corner of the base plate. A lighted carousel that includes a battery operated light and is adapted to hold a plurality of lenses is disposed above the base plate. According to a modification, the slots are eliminated from the base plate and an adjustment bar having a slot therein is attached at one end to a modified base plate and, at a remaining end, to a member that is attached to each of the legs of the tripod.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A tripod stabilizer and lighted lens carousel, comprising: 
       (a) a stabilizing plate;  
       (b) means for attaching said stabilizing plate to each leg of a tripod at a location that is between a pair of opposite ends of said each leg and wherein said means for attaching said stabilizing plate prevents pivoting intermediate said each leg and said stabilizing plate and wherein said stabilizing plate is adapted to prevent said each leg from being displaced either further away from or closer with respect to any remaining leg of said legs;  
       (c) means for supporting at least one lens, said means for supporting including means for attaching said means for supporting to said stabilizing plate; and  
       including means for providing a post, said post including a first end and an opposite second end, and wherein said post is attached at a first end thereof to said stabilizing plate and wherein said second end includes an attachment to said means for supporting at least one lens and wherein said means for providing a post includes means for telescoping said post to a predetermined location relative to a longitudinal axis of said post and including means for securing said post at said predetermined location.  
     
     
       2. The tripod stabilizer and lighted lens carousel of  claim 1  wherein said stabilizing plate is triangular in shape and is formed of a substantially rigid material. 
     
     
       3. The tripod stabilizer and lighted lens carousel of  claim 2  wherein said means for attaching said stabilizing plate includes a slotted means provided at each apex of said stabilizing plate, and wherein said slotted means is adapted to secure a first end of a tripod leg bracket thereto, said tripod leg bracket including an opposite end that is attached to one of said each leg of a tripod. 
     
     
       4. The tripod stabilizer and lighted lens carousel of  claim 1  wherein said means for attaching said means for supporting to said stabilizing plate includes means for adjusting a position of said means for supporting relative to said stabilizing plate. 
     
     
       5. The tripod stabilizer and lighted lens carousel of  claim 1 , wherein said means for supporting at least one lens includes means for providing a carousel, said carousel adapted to pivot about said longitudinal axis of said post. 
     
     
       6. The tripod stabilizer and lighted lens carousel of  claim 5  said carousel is disposed above said stabilizing plate. 
     
     
       7. The tripod stabilizer and lighted lens carousel of  claim 5  wherein said carousel is disposed below said stabilizing plate. 
     
     
       8. The tripod stabilizer and lighted lens carousel of  claim 1  wherein said means for supporting at least one lens includes a light attached proximate to said means for supporting at least one lens and adapted to provide illumination for said means for supporting at least one lens. 
     
     
       9. The tripod stabilizer and lighted lens carousel of  claim 8  wherein said post is attached at a first end thereof to said stabilizing plate and wherein said second end includes an attachment to said means for supporting at least one lens and wherein said means for supporting at least one lens includes means for providing a carousel, said carousel adapted to pivot about said longitudinal axis of said post and wherein said light is disposed a predetermined distance above said carousel. 
     
     
       10. The tripod stabilizer and lighted lens carousel of  claim 9  wherein said light is a battery powered light. 
     
     
       11. The tripod stabilizer and lighted lens carousel of  claim 9  wherein said light is actuated by depressing a portion thereof in an upward direction. 
     
     
       12. The tripod stabilizer and lighted lens carousel of  claim 1  wherein said means for attaching said stabilizing plate to each leg of a tripod includes an adjustment bar, said adjustment bar including a slot therein and wherein said adjustment bar is adapted for attachment to said stabilizing plate at one end thereof and wherein said adjustment bar is adapted for attachment to one of said each leg of a tripod. 
     
     
       13. The tripod stabilizer and lighted lens carousel of  claim 12  wherein said means for supporting at least one lens includes means for providing a carousel, said carousel adapted to pivot about a longitudinal axis passing through a plane of said stabilizing plate and perpendicular with respect to said plane, and wherein said carousel is disposed below said stabilizing plate. 
     
     
       14. A tripod light, comprising: 
       (a) a battery operated light; and  
       (b) means for attaching said battery operated light within the legs of a tripod at a location that is between a pair of opposite ends of each leg of said tripod, and wherein when said battery operated light is attached to said tripod, said battery operated light is disposed below a top of said tripod and entirely within the legs of said tripod.  
     
     
       15. The tripod light of  claim 14  wherein said means for attaching includes a housing, said housing having an angled top that substantially corresponds to a shape of said legs of said tripod when said tripod is adapted for use. 
     
     
       16. A lighted lens carousel for use with a tripod, comprising: 
       (a) a rotatable member adapted to rotate about an axis and adapted to support an object placed thereon at a location that is between a pair of opposite ends of each leg of said tripod and wherein said rotatable member is adapted to retain said object at a fixed elevation with respect to said each leg, and wherein when said rotatable member is attached to said tripod, said object is disposed below a top of said tripod and entirely within the legs of said tripod;  
       (b) at least one member;  
       (c) a light; and  
       (d) wherein said member connects said light to said rotatable member.  
     
     
       17. The lighted lens carousel of  claim 16  wherein said light is battery operated. 
     
     
       18. The lighted lens carousel of  claim 16  wherein said light is adapted to rotate in synchronicity with respect to rotatable member.